(Credit ICC)
Ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, the Indian cricket team concluded their preparations with a commanding 60-run triumph over Bangladesh in their lone warm-up match at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York last week.
India displayed impressive performances across various facets of the game, with Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Arshdeep Singh, and Shivam Dube emerging as standout performers in the resounding victory of the Men in Blue over Bangladesh. Notably, Virat Kohli was absent from both the game and practice sessions, having taken a pre-approved extended break following the rigorous IPL 2024 season. Kohli, the sole absentee from India’s T20 World Cup 2024 squad in the warm-up encounter against Bangladesh, opted for rest following Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) disappointing loss to the Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the eliminator.
Virat Kohli was notably absent from the practice sessions held in New York.
However, the dynamic batsman Kohli reunited with the Indian cricket team in New York ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024 warm-up fixture against Bangladesh, yet he was sidelined to recuperate, as advised by the BCCI, before rejoining the action.
Interestingly, Kohli was absent from all three practice sessions held at Cantiague Park, the temporary training venue organized by the ICC for T20 World Cup 2024 preparations in New York, sparking curiosity among fans and pundits alike. With India’s opening match against Ireland in the T20 World Cup 2024 looming just two days away, anticipation in New York soared.
Fans were eager to witness Kohli’s participation in the practice drills, only to be disappointed as Team India was granted a well-deserved rest day following their victory over Bangladesh in the warm-up encounter.
According to journalist Vimal Kumar, reporting from the USA, the 35-year-old was slated to partake in his first practice session on Sunday, June 2. However, the Indian team opted to afford him another day of rest following the warm-up game, leading to his absence from yet another practice session, while Sri Lanka and South Africa continued their training routines at Cantiague Park ahead of their T20 World Cup 2024 clash.
There are strong indications that Virat Kohli will resume training in New York on Monday.
Despite the disappointment for fans, reports suggest that Kohli is set to take part in India’s inaugural official training session on Monday, June 3, ahead of their showdown against Ireland in the T20 World Cup 2024 opener on Wednesday, June 5, at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York.
Although the specific timing of this training session is yet to be confirmed, it holds significant importance for Kohli to rediscover his form, adapt to the conditions, and seamlessly integrate with the team before embarking on their quest for the prestigious ICC title.
Kohli’s exceptional performance in IPL 2024, where he clinched the Orange Cap for the second time by amassing a remarkable 741 runs for the RCB, underscores his prowess. Additionally, as the leading run-scorer in T20 World Cup history, with an impressive tally of 1141 runs in 27 matches for India since 2012, his presence and form will be pivotal for India’s campaign.
